Torrens, Cordoba prepare for summer grind

SAN FRANCISCO -- Even among the most experienced players, there's little reprieve from the grind of a long baseball season. For Luis Torrens and Allen Cordoba, it's a marathon the likes of which they've never seen.

Torrens and Cordoba didn't become Padres until December, when they were selected with the second and third picks, respectively, in the Rule 5 Draft. Torrens spent 2016 at Class A in the Yankees system, where he played 52 games. Cordoba, meanwhile, played 50 games of rookie ball in the Cardinals organization. Entering this year, neither had played more than 62 games in a season.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Even among the most experienced players, there's little reprieve from the grind of a long baseball season. For Luis Torrens and Allen Cordoba, it's a marathon the likes of which they've never seen.

Torrens and Cordoba didn't become Padres until December, when they were selected with the second and third picks, respectively, in the Rule 5 Draft. Torrens spent 2016 at Class A in the Yankees system, where he played 52 games. Cordoba, meanwhile, played 50 games of rookie ball in the Cardinals organization. Entering this year, neither had played more than 62 games in a season.

"At times, the mental grind has been tough on both of them, which is understandable because they're making huge leaps," said Padres manager Andy Green. "But they both have shown really positive things at different times."

Since the All-Star break, Torrens and Cordoba have seen a bump in their playing time with catcher Austin Hedges and shortstop Erick Aybar currently on the disabled list.

With the dog days approaching, they're both aware of the grind that lies ahead. And they've pointed to a routine-oriented approach as the best way to sustain.

"It's just work in the gym," Cordoba said through an interpreter. "It's also about getting nutrients, getting good food. I'm honestly really just conscious of my gym routine and taking care of my body because I know there's going to be a lot of season left."

Said Torrens: "You have to have a routine. That's something I've always tried to do. But you make sure you're ready to go when it's your time to play. You have that routine, you stay with it, and you make sure you're ready to play no matter what."

Cordoba was back at shortstop on Sunday, the first time this season he's started there in consecutive games. Since Aybar sustained his injury Friday night, Cordoba has been the Padres' only shortstop on the roster, though they'll likely make a transaction to add a backup before Monday's game in San Diego.

Cordoba has seen his average dip by about 80 points since the start of June. He's hitting .231/.289/.320 this season. Torrens, meanwhile, is hitting .193 with just three extra-base hits.

Of course, those struggles were probably to be expected for a pair of players jumping from the lowest levels directly to the Majors.

"I'm always trying to learn," Torrens said. "That's the biggest thing I look at up here. That's why we're here. From that learning, we need to get better. I always come in with that mentality, whether I'm sitting or catching."

Injury updates

• Yangervis Solarte is swinging from both sides of the plate in the batting cage, as he continues to recover from a left oblique strain. But he's yet to take right-handed cuts during pregame batting practice. The Padres expect Solarte to clear that hurdle this week in San Diego, and a short rehab stint should follow.

• Righty reliever Craig Stammen remains unavailable as he recovers from a tight left hamstring. But he played catch Sunday and could return to the mound over the next day or two.

• Travis Jankowski went 1-for-5 in his first rehab appearance for Triple-A El Paso on Saturday. After missing three months with a fracture in his right foot, the Padres expect a lengthy rehab assignment for the speedy outfielder.